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Bubbling Romance

Château de Minière
Bulles de Minière
100% Cabernet Franc
Sparkling Red Wine
Organic Agriculture Ecocert, HVE
Bourgueil, Loire Valley, France
Kathleen Van den Berghe & Sigurd Mareels

Deep maroon purple with pretty in pink bubbles. At first sniff there’a a bit of creaminess (kind of Oreo center) followed quickly by raspberries, fresh picked pink & red strawberries, boysenberries, spring house mineral fresh, cherries, tiny tarty plum, and after a bit a bouquet of spring flowers pop up. Sipping raspberries, blackberries & seeds, blueberries, strawberries, dried cherry & cranberry, a touch of lemon spark in the back and a crisp end. This bubbly is pure romance, so go ahead and shoot that arrow…through my heart!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out a bigger depth of berries

Well, this is truly a bottle of romance…after honeymooning Kathleen & Sigurd (originally from Belgium) began searching for a vineyard to call their own. Once they saw Château de Minière, well just take a look at the site for yourself, the home and grounds are just gorgeous (it’s like living in a fairytale setting), and has centuries of history with women at the helm of the manor. Kathleen has joined that line, not only with rejuvenating the castle while keeping it true to its historic roots, but also tending to the environment and all that resides in it. Even with the organic & biodynamic you would expect for the vines, there’s also a LPO bird sanctuary, bee hives, rainwater recovery, and more. Oh and not to be forgotten, “Careful thought has been given to the bottling of the wine, for instance: lightweight bottles, unbleached cardboard, strict traceability of corks, nothing is left to chance.” What started out in my mind as a bottle of romance, I now see as a beautiful passionate labor of love. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #organic #naturalwine #worldbyglass #winelover #winetime #sparklingwine #bubbly #loirevalleywines #loirevalley #France @cheezit  @chateaudeminiere @communalbrands @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Nothing Is Impossible

Aslina Wines
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Winemaker: Ntsiki Biyela

Twinkle twinkle little light yellow green star. Sniffing grapefruit, orange, lemon & lime, slice of pineapple, honey dew & other light melon, very ripe cucumbers, fresh rained on sidewalk with a cooling breeze, and pinch of salt. All of the scents are here in the taste along with a smidge of honey, a smooth operator feel of silk, satin or whatever might make you slide off the sheets, lemon & lime zest spark at the back, and a little fresh cut grass green good. This glass just keeps growing in personality and is definitely being added to my replay list.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: easy going good

Ntsiki saw an opportunity and ran with it. Post high school she was searching for a university scholarship and ended up receiving one in winemaking, but here’s the catch, at the time she really didn’t know anything about wine, but that wasn’t going to stop her. After graduating in 2003, she started working with Stellekaya Wines, became South Africa’s first black female winemaker, started accumulating awards & recognitions including “Woman Winemaker of the Year, 2009”, and following her desire to have her own business, she started creating her own wines. When it came to picking a name, “Aslina” is very fittingly named after her grandmother who raised her, was always there for her, is still a guiding force in her decision making (as in considering what would Aslina do in this situation), and gave her the inspiration that

“nothing is impossible”. There’s a great video/interview by Food For Mzansi that shows Ntsiki ’s reverence and joy talking about her grandmother, her expanding wine life, and a part that really hits @worldbyglass home with me about tasting wine. “When you pour this wine in a glass, where does it take you to, what do you imagine when you’re having that wine…it must create a memory, it must remind you of your life. It must remind you of certain things you grow up with…”. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #southafrica #organic #WesternCape #wineinacan #winetime #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @wine4theworld @aslina_wines @docwinebar @docwineshop

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Playing In The Waves

Las Jaras Wines
Waves Botanical Spritzer
Gruner Veltliner 75%, Albariño 15%, Chenin Blanc 10%
Angelica Root, Juniper, Rose Buds, Green Cardamom, Grapefruit Peel, Rosemary, Coriander, Douglas Fir Needles, Anise, Star Anise, Lemongrass (all organic)
Organic
Sebastopol, CA
Winemakers: Joel Burt and Eric Wareheim
Label art: Jen Stark

Pop that chilled can and pour…it’s light gold with green glimmers and a touch of fizz. Inhale a few times and out pops up juniper, cardamom, clove, a light sprig of rosemary, allspice, celery salt, and light white cherry soda. Sipping in the shade and there’s all of the above spices, light grapefruit squeeze with lemon/lime spritz, lemongrass, white & yellow cherries, a basil/mint spark, tiny crack of white pepper, and as it opens Cel-ray. This is very refreshing and tingly, and something about it makes me crave a grilled hot dog and some kielbasa so pack some up for a backyard party and don’t forget to bring a good sharp mustard.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: meh

Waves is a perfect name for this spritzer, since those flavors/scents just ebb & flow over your tastebuds and tickle your nose. Also very cool pairing with Jen Stark’s artwork bursting with color and life…kind of like a cross between a psychedelic star burst & a reminder of Jasper Johns’ “Target”. There’s nothing static about her work because her vibrant colors that are at times combined with reflective surfaces will draw your eye like a dance throughout the entire piece. Btw I love how Las Jaras finds artists they love for their labels. Check more out here.  🌊

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #California #organic #wineinacan #winetime #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #spritzer #waveswine @cheezit @lasjaraswines @waves.wine @docwineshop @docwinebar

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A Sultry Night In The Heart Of The City

Swick Wines
City Nights
Rosé
44% Mourvedre, 36% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah
Bring it.
Conley Vineyard
Columbia Valley AVA
Yakima, Washington
Certified organic situated at 1600-1700 feet elevation
Bottled & produced Newborn, OR
Winemaker/Proprietor: Joe Swick

Sunset salmon. There’s scents of strawberries (green & pink & red & wild), wild sour grass, lemon spritz, fresh running spring or creek where you turn over rocks looking for crayfish, yellow cherries & plums, a little forest funk, as it opens there’s mild watermelon, and a bit of torn fresh basil. All of the scents are right there in the taste with a whiff of smoke & that lick of rock, salt, and a brighter lemon spark with some orange zest. Lovely and a stand out star!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: berg way too tart…just don’t

I’ve lost track of how many Swick wines I’ve had and honestly each one has brought me joy in one way or another, albeit thoughtful, expressive, or just happy. Their site says this rosé is, “Inspired by the opening track on Allan Holdsworth’s 1989 album Secrets” which I can totally see…well hear and feel, but last night when I was relaxing with a glass in the sultry heat of this city night, I couldn’t help but switch to a heartfelt Mark Eitzel mix. Is he a poet, is he a singer/songwriter or is he just a pure artistic soulful siren? Kind of like Joe’s masterful creative intuitive winemaking touch that always draws me in, so these two just vibe together oh so well or should I say they both “Bring it”. Here’s a set to enjoy while keeping cool on another hot evening with another glass. Cheers!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #winelover #wineoclock #markeitzel #winemaker #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #naturalwine #Rosé #organic #washington #oregon #swickwines @cheezit @swickwines @swickjoe @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Following The Rainbow

Altschwager Kenneally
Tapi
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Wairau Valley Vineyard
Certified organic, sustainable
Marlborough, NZ
Gus & Swan Altschwager and Mark & Emma Kenneally

Really pale straw starlight with green hints. There’s scents of grapefruit, passionfruit, gooseberry, a little mango & pineapple frozen cocktail, smidge of fresh cut grass & green bell pepper that grows into something with a little more warm pepper. All of the scents including the pepper part are there in the taste but more luscious and vibrant yet a dryness in the back. There’s also in a little yellow watermelon and a zip of lemon/citrus spark…this is easy and so friendly…how about pass me some prosciutto.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: oh this is delicious and brings out pears and more pineapple…tropical afternoon delight

Altschwager Kenneally is made up of 2 countries (Australia & New Zealand), 3 wine regions, 4 friends, and a desire to create the best small batch sustainable wines. This two family wine team of Gus & Swan and Mark & Emma really care about the land/environment, their imprint, what gets left behind & what may be produced from it…”because in order for us all to live well, we must respect the land” and this very honorable passion is also what originally brought them together…well that and also good wine that can tell you the tale of its roots. The bottle I lucked into is from their New Zealand line, “Tapi”, named after the stately Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku and translates from Māori to “footprint of the rainbow”. If this is what the start of the rainbow tastes like, then bring on the rest because I’m ready to keep climbing and following where it leads.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #organic #naturalwine #worldbyglass #winelover #winetime #whitewine #newzealand #altschwagerkenneallywines @cheezit @altschwager_kenneally_wines @viaswine @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Be Like Jean

Domaine Rimbert
Vin Orange
Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Rolle
Organic, indigenous yeasts, vegan friendly
Berlou, Saint Chinian, France
Owner & winemaker: Jean-Marie Rimbert

Bright orange amber pour. Right out the gate and straight to your nose, this is definitely Vin Orange. There’s an orchard blossom blend (very much so on the orange blossoms), oranges, tangelo, zesty citrus cocktail, a whiff of smoke, along with apples and a green herby sniff like basil. Sipping a blend of that citrus cocktail (combined with lime zest) , again apple (a little cider too) & a little pear thrown in with a mix of dried fruits (apricots, white raisins, a shave pineapple), moments of mild white pepper, dried basil, fresh green bell pepper, and an exhale of blossoms. Don’t over think this easy drinker….just enjoy the vibe.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: deliciously smooth

Jean-Marie Rimbert (along with his wines) is the breath of fresh air the world so needs right now. I love the down to earth statements he makes, by calling himself a “paysan” or in other words, a peasant…a humble farmer who finds joy in the simple natural things in life and his surroundings. As he importantly said,  “I want to cultivate in a way that doesn’t damage the environment. I’m in it for the long term.” He’s also working on spreading his organic wisdom to his neighbors/local growers from who he at times buys their grapes, to create “easy-going wines”. Hey, since they’re already sustainable, why not go all in like Jean. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #orangewine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #organic #France @cheezit @domaine_rimbert @jennyfrancois @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Foxy Stole My Heart

Wild Nature Wines
Valpolicella DOC 2018
Corvina, Corvinone & Rondinella
Certified vegan, organic & biodynamic
Verona, Italy
Winemaker: Emilio Fidora

Shining ruby glass. Inhale and there are cherries & cherry cola, tiny roses & gentle bundle of spring flowers, raspberries, as time goes by a blackberry touch, and boysenberry. Tasting and this beaut is light, lovely and dry. There’s cherries (fresh & dried), blackberry (seeds & all bite), boysenberry, blueberries, tart fresh young plum and the pits, a tiny lemon squeeze in the back, a greenery exhale that’s a bit forest but not juniper, and a little reduction of it all. Even on a steamy summer night, I can really dig this…perfect for a backyard under the stars with a gentle breeze. Ok it’s still as lovely in my apartment near the BQE while the DOT rips up the asphalt under it for the umpteenth time. I’d prefer the sound of frogs to this cacophony of whirring & grinding machines along with the beep beep beep. I swear it seems like they do this so often. Wonder why city? 🤔 Future archeologists will unearth the truth.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: I like it. Deeper, darker, smooth

This is my 3rd “Wild Nature Wines”, but my first from their Valpolicella – Verona estate, and I’m so excited to have this little fox fall into my life. He’s just one of their beneficial neighbors that roam, hop, fly over, or buzz through their land, and grace their bottles. Must be wonderful to watch & listen to the wildlife, the breeze through the leaves and enjoy a moment of peace in such a beautiful part of the world (and not hear that infernal beep beep beep). Makes me grateful that the the Fidoras who took the care to insure their longevity by being the first estate to go organic in Veneto and Emilio to continue to further that path with going biodynamic & vegan certified. Thank you for making space for this little frisky 🦊 to be part of your wine family. He’s wiggled a way into my ❤️.

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A Romantic Character

Cantina Valle Isarco (Kellerei Eisacktal)
Grüner Veltliner 2021
Alto Adlige Valle Isarco DOC
Chiusa, Italy
Co-op with 135 members
Enologist: Hannes Munter; Agronomist: Alexander Damiani

Yellow golden green starlight. Breathing in delightful peaches, pears, green apples, a breeze of grapefruit, bell peppers, honeydew, winter melon, and a few blades of fresh cut grass. It’s a bit of a steamy night here so it’s a welcome refreshing sip of peach, pear, apple, again that grapefruit drop & melon along with cool cucumbers. This glass is just begging for a dozen  oysters.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out the crisp

Oh this wine co-op resides in such a perfect setting. Valle Isarco’s steep verdant vineyards is just so naturally breathtaking and beneficial. As they say, “In these winegrowing areas, the northernmost in Italy, where glaciers meet the gentle rolling hills of the Mediterranean, vines have been grown for centuries producing wines of great character. Thanks to variety in soils, cultivation areas and sunlight exposures, as well as to the particular microclimate, each vineyard develops a personality and special character of its own.” There’s another “character” I have to point out…the town of Chiusa (Klausen). Its tiny streets are wedged between colorfully painted medieval looking buildings that are varying to the point of a pastel rainbow and make me feel like I’ve dropped into a period piece flick. It’s a vision of sheer romance; and I can only imagine how much that is heightened with their Christmas Market where you’ll walk by candlelight & strands of holiday lights, sip mulled wine, and maybe even run into a night watchman.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #wineoclock #instawine #worldbyglass #winetime #chiusa #Italy #valleisarco #kellereieisacktal #altoadigewines #GrünerVeltliner #GrunerVeltliner #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @cantina_valleisarco @liber.selections @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Fruit With Wild Attitude

Fruktstereo
F.W.A Straight Outta Dalby 2019
Fruit Pét-Nat (Fruit-Nat)
Apples from an old abandoned orchard in Dalby: Ingrid-Marie, Ribston and wild heirloom varieties
Unfiltered, unfined, no additives
Malmö, Sweden
Karl Sjöström & Mikael Nypelius

Hazy IPA orange with a whole lot of sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Sniffing a married mix of sweet & tart apples rolling down that hill while carrying a bouquet of wildflowers, and embraces a warm pie spice along with cider tingle tangle. All of the scents are right there in the taste & exhaling a little clove, apple tree twigs whittled down to the green, touch of lemon, mild white & black pepper & a little green in the back (but just warm enough and not the type that gives me hiccups), and a salty swig.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: wildly fragrant

“F.W.A Straight Outta Dalby” is my second fruit pét-nat (cider) coming out of Sweden and both have been very surprising, fun, and lend themselves to be musically inclined. Mikael & Karl, are a very busy & creative team, who both have backgrounds in wine (they’re sommeliers), the restaurant industry, and a passion for keeping it natural, working with apples both old and young, & rescuing abandoned orchards when the opportunity arises. Oh and they have a very witty naming convention…not only is there “F.W.A”, there’s also “Draft Funk/Daft Frukt”, “First We Take a Manhattan, then we Take a Berliner Weiss”, “Plumenian Rhapsody”, “Britney’s Pears” and the “set list” goes on. Question is, do these DJs take special requests? Maybe…🍏🍎🍐🫐?

#PétNat #petnat #fruitpetnat #cider #wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass  #Sweden @cheezit @fruktstereo @jennyfrancois @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Making My Day!

La Battagliola
Gran Pignoletto DOC Millesimato
2021
Spumante Brut
100% Pignoletto
Sustainably produced
Piumazzo, Emilia Romagna, Italy
Owner & wine family: Alberto Salvadori and his children (Beatrice & Tommaso)

Deep gold (kind of the color of an IPA/lager not hazy blend that my friend Bob orders at The Gutter) with active bubbles tracing continents on the top. Breathing in and it starts off with a vanilla puff on the first pop that turns into memories of Mom’s pineapple meringue pie, firm pears, golden delicious apples that as it lingers takes on a little caramelization, teeny tiny lemon tingle, and old time Texas toast that goes brioche. Going in for the sip and again there’s pears, my favorite apples with that crunch, sliver of pineapple & a little of it grilled, a tiny drop of honeysuckle in the back with a bit of lemon sizzle that happily grows to a perfect balance, and a touch of that toast reappears here and there.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: good but better without

I just love learning how people end up living the life of the vine, but I will admit sometimes I am a bit jealous. How wonderful it would be to inherit like Alberto and end up with their mother’s country house and realize your life is going to change. He went from logistics to farming! Once again another wine family living the dream. Just makes me smile and yes, yearn for that lifestyle. Oh and they’ve given me a little wine education from this bottle since this my first Pignoletto. Turns out after some genetic testing this grape is also known as Grechetto Gentile (or di Todi) which I have met in the past. So pleased to meet you Pignoletto through such an addictive delicious sparkler. You’ve made my day much brighter and lighter! 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #wineoclock #instawine #worldbyglass #winetime #EmiliaRomagna #Italy #spumante #Pignoletto #sparklingwine #bubbly #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @la_battagliola @soilairselection @docwineshop @docwinebar